It’s difficult to keep up.
The Cape Coral dining scene continues to evolve at a mouthwatering pace.
In the past six months, South Cape has seen the addition of Oak & Stone, Seed & Bean, Big Nick’s BBQ and Aqua. And that’s just at The Cove at 47th alone.
Across Cape Coral Parkway, Bimini Basin Seafood & Cocktails debuted in late February, and Independent Pub popped up the month before.
Head north, and you’ll see the same thing.
Last year, Walk-On’s, Bacio’s Pizzeria, Yonutz, Cape Brazilian Grill, Pei Wei, Sunset Chicken, Tropical Smoothie, Wow Steakhouse, Huey Magoos, two Papa Johns, Eagle Specialty Coffee, Taqueria Casamigos, Foxtail Coffee Co. and Stella Marie’s all opened along or just off of Pine Island Road.
B’s Grillhouse, Capriotti’s and Chicken Salad Chick are the newest places to debut along that stretch. And there will soon be more, with signs already up for Swig, Burrito Shak, Philly Pretzel Factory and Tacos & Tequila.
As a Lee County food reporter, it’s hard to get back to restaurants after my initial visit with so many new venues steadily opening.
I often daydream about the fra diavolo mussels over linguini I had at Aqua a month ago and the crab cakes with Key lime mustard from Bimini Basin Seafood I inhaled before that. For weeks now, I’ve been trying to get back to those happy hour wonders.
And it’s been even longer since I’ve stopped by Siam Hut (oh, that pad Thai!), Nevermind (oh, those smashburgers!), High Tide Social (oh, the taco, clam and pulled pork pizzas!) and Ariani (oh, the food, the service and Dario!).
Then there’s Ralph’s Place and BackStreets (the Reubens!), Trattoria Ciao and Indian Breeze, Stones Throw and J&P Asian, The Rustic and so many others I haven’t been to in far too long.
There are, however, a few places I’ve been back to recently, and I couldn’t love them more.
From a neighborhood Italian deli to a family favorite, here are six Cape Coral restaurants I frequent whenever I can.
Nice Guys
We love everything about this South Cape pizza and cocktail joint. On the one hand, it’s divy, punky, edgy and fun with a glowing neon hallway, pinball-machine-lined arcade room and dark, Christmas lights-lit bar area with an eclectic mix of, well, stuff hung here and there.
On the other hand, it’s innovative, creative and trendy with some of the best pizza and bar food, and craftiest cocktails in Southwest Florida. Begin with an app like garlic knots, tots, wings, corn dogs or stinky buns 2. — you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Then get a specialty pie like the chicken & waffles, burrizza (pulled pork, corn, pinto beans, and more), or Washington Carver (with peanut sauce, bacon, and raspberry jam). Grab a cocktail while you’re at it, and don’t be surprised if it comes in a bathtub or baby doll head. Then sit back and soak up the unpretentious vibe. It’s the kind of place you come back to and hang out in over and over again. We do whenever we can. 1404 Cape Coral Parkway E; (239) 549-7542; niceguyspizza.com or on Facebook
Sage on 47th
We’ve been coming to this chef-driven South Cape gem since it opened three years ago. It’s the one restaurant we frequent the most. We’ll swing by during happy hour (3-6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday) for the $10 craft cocktail of the day, $3 off wine by the glass, $5 house spirits, $8 grilled wings, $6 yucca fries, $8 Ralph’s killer shrimp and more. We also come for the shareables (think duck fat fries, mussels, oysters, street corn, local mushrooms, steak bites) and mains (the seafood risotto, Ralph’s killer shrimp over polenta and pork cheeks are three of our favorite dishes around).
If it’s a weekend, we pop in for brunch and if it’s a holiday, there’s a good chance we’re there. No matter when we go, we keep an eye out for the chef’s specials, like the recently offered panko & Italian herb-encrusted burrata cheese or orecchiette bolognese. Rest assured, though, whenever you swing by, it’s a perfect time to go. And we very well may be there too. 1015 SE 47th Terrace; (239) 542-0200; sageon47th.com or on Facebook
Next Door
This chic and intimate waterfront gem at Tarpon Point Marina is our special occasion go-to. On each visit, we fall in love with it over and over again. The team here (and at neighboring Gather) is now headed by co-owner and executive chef Ben Voisin, newly appointed executive chef Ian Cooper and chef de cuisine Howard Barnes, who expertly guided us through a preview of their latest carefully curated menu.
We loved every colorful, flavorful, texture-rich item that came our way, including a light and refreshing watermelon salad, scallop crudo with a citrusy Tiger’s milk, seared salmon floating on a dreamy bed of herb risotto, lamb chops with confit potatoes, and the chef’s (and our) favorite agnolotti Florentine with Gulf shrimp. I’ll think of those dishes fondly for days and weeks to come, until my next visit. Chef Fabrice Deletrain will join the crew for a 7-course chef’s dinner and wine pairing on May 21. Sounds like a perfect time to form new foodie memories. We can’t wait. 5971 Silver King Blvd., Unit 114; (239) 984-2453; nextdoorcape.com and on Facebook
Two Meatballs in the Kitchen
Whenever my kids are in town, they want to go to this Italian staple in South Cape. And who am I to disagree?
“We don’t try to be gourmet,” said Franco Russo, who co-owns this location with partner Wayne Entsminger. “It’s not small portions with high prices. We offer high-quality food at fair prices. Almost everyone leaves with leftovers.”
And that’s what we love. I can get two, sometimes three meals out of the Mama’s pasta (diced sausage and meatballs sauteed with pancetta, ricotta and peas served in a cream sauce over a choice of pasta). It’s one of 11 signature dishes on a menu filled with classic Italian favorites — from pizza to chicken, seafood and veal entrees. Happy hour runs an impressive 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (at the bar only), is a great time to drop by and the new $29.99 three-course prix-fixe menu Monday to Thursday has recently caught our eye. There’s something for everyone here. And you’ll get a whole lot of it, too. 1403 Cape Coral Parkway E; (239) 347-3013; 2meatballs.com or on Facebook
Amore
Although technically not a restaurant, this Italian market & deli is my go-to sandwich, need-something-for-dinner and sweet-tooth-craving stop. Display cases are lovingly filled with cheesecakes, cakes and cannolis galore, fresh-made salads (think tuna, cherry chicken, roasted potato, cucumber & tomato for starters), veggies and pasta (Mediterranean, Italian, lasagna, meatballs, eggplant rollatini and more). Then come the prepared and ready-to-go delights like chicken tenders and cutlets, eggplant and chicken parm, coconut shrimp, breaded cod, and maybe even a pepperoni (or ham & cheese or smoked sausage) roll or two or 12.
“Everything is fresh,” said Giovanna Lafata, who co-owns this wonderland with her sister Francesca Ferrara. “It’s all homemade. There are no preservatives, nothing is added. I think people are surprised by the variety I have.”
I’m surprised and amazed every time I go. You will be too. 4703 SW 16th Place, on the northwest corner of Chiquita Boulevard and Cape Coral Parkway; (239) 800-3938; amoreswfl.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram
Front Porch Social
I hadn’t been back to this laid-back South Cape restaurant with its spaciously inviting porch since it debuted in the summer of 2023. But when Scotty’s Bierwerks closed, my trivia-loving friends needed a new place to play. That’s when we started coming here rather regularly on Wednesday nights. And I have been pleasantly surprised ever since. Table favorites include the hot honey sliders, zucchini fries and Korean tacos, all on the happy hour menu (offered 3-6 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday and ending 30 minutes before trivia begins on Wednesdays).
Pesto gnocchi, crispy wings, Nashville hot mac & cheese, Nashville tenders and the fried green tomato BLT have also been hits. Happy hour cocktails run from a $3 draft (Michelob Ultra) and $5 wells and wine to $8 cocktails (espresso martinis, cosmos and spicy margaritas included). Eventually, we may just eat and drink our way through the entire menu. And we might just start winning some trivia rounds, too. See you there. 4721 Vincennes Blvd.; (239) 347-8914; frontporchsocialcc.com or find on Facebook
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@fortmyer.gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: As Cape Coral’s food scene booms, here are 6 of our go-to restaurants
Reporting by Robyn George, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
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